MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There are those in Memphis and the Mid-South who see this as the ideal moment to call out and end blatant acts of systemic racism. There also are those who, for whatever reason, were oblivious to racial discrimination – but are now pledging to address it. Then there are those who have blinders on – and are unwilling to admit it when racism clearly exists.
Massive numbers of people fall into that first category. They are the ones protesting in the streets – demanding a change to oppressive policing in Memphis and nationwide. They are also the ones on social media pointing out racial bias, including alleged discrimination at local restaurants such as Flight and Porch and Parlor.
My second category includes people such as the owners of those restaurants – who now are saying they take allegations of racial discrimination seriously. And if the charges of true, the offending employees will be fired.
But it is that third group that causes the most concern. It includes Mississippi politicians who are resistant to changing that state’s racist flag. It also includes Tennessee lawmakers who are opposed to removing the bust of slave trader Nathan Bedford Forrest from the state capitol – all while insisting that racism is not a problem in the legislature. Yeah, right.
Here’s the point. The demands for change are stronger than ever. And you’re either leading it, addressing it, or ignoring it. The choice is yours. And that’s my point of view. I’m Otis Sanford, for Local 24 News.